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NHRA: Scelzi, Bazemore and Krisher leaders after first day of qualifying

29 July 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Kent, Wash. - Gary Scelzi led all Top Fuel competitors Friday after the first day of qualifying at the 13th annual Prolong Super Lubricants Northwest Nationals presented by Napa Auto Parts at Seattle International Raceway.

Scelzi, from Fresno, Calif., blasted down the quarter-mile in 4.652 seconds at 312.64 mph in his Team Winston dragster to set the pace for the rest of the field. "There are certain people that say, we just want to go rounds, we just want to do well," said Scelzi. "That's not our strategy. We don't want to just win rounds. We want to win races. We want to rip their heads off and we want to do it with authority. Whether you win a Winston Championship or you don't, that's how we race. That's how we won two Winston Championships before and that's how we're going to do it again."

Whit Bazemore and Ron Krisher also led their respective categories at the $1.6 million race, the 14th of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Bazemore, from Indianapolis, set a Funny Car elapsed time track record as he paced the field in his Kendall Oil Chevrolet Camaro with a pass of 4.875 at 306.81. "This track historically is very difficult track," said Bazemore.

"To run a 4.87 and run better than everyone else is a real surprise. It was a challenging run and it feels really good to get that elapsed time and be number one." Defending series champion John Force was second in the order in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang with a 4.952 at 289.69.

Krisher, from Warren, Ohio, continued his impressive Pro Stock season when he powered his Eagle One Pontiac Firebird down the track in 6.936 at 198.96. "It'll be a challenge to hold onto this number one," said Krisher. "We've got enough power to do it and we certainly got the team to do it. We'll just do our best out there and see if the right lane or left lane is better tomorrow to see if we can hang onto number one."

Professional qualifying continues Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

KENT, Wash. -- Results Friday after qualifying for the 13th annual Prolong Super Lubricants Northwest Nationals Presented by NAPA at Seattle International Raceway, 14th of 23 events in the $45-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Gary Scelzi, 4.652 seconds, 312.64 mph; 2. Doug Kalitta, 4.662, 293.03; 3. Cory McClenathan, 4.666, 305.84; 4. Bob Vandergriff, 4.674, 303.92; 5. Tony Schumacher, 4.677, 308.43; 6. Larry Dixon, 4.699, 305.49; 7. Joe Amato, 4.716, 293.73; 8. Doug Herbert, 4.724, 294.11; 9. Don Lampus, 4.735, 305.77; 10. Kenny Bernstein, 4.749, 301.54; 11. Craig Smith, 4.786, 292.65; 12. Gary Clapshaw, 4.820, 286.25; 13. Bobby Lagana, 4.826, 297.75; 14. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.875, 276.92; 15. Tim Gibson, 4.962, 216.48; 16. Gina Ferraro, 5.063, 246.80.

Funny Car -- 1. Whit Bazemore, Chevy Camaro, 4.875, 306.81; 2. John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.952, 289.69; 3. Jerry Toliver, Pontiac Firebird, 4.963, 303.09; 4. Bruce Sarver, Firebird, 4.981, 298.93; 5. Del Worsham, Firebird, 4.994, 285.77; 6. Louis Sweet, Dodge Avenger, 5.015, 260.26; 7. Dean Skuza, Avenger, 5.051, 293.09; 8. Frank Pedregon, Firebird, 5.051, 289.82; 9. Al Hofmann, Firebird, 5.054, 243.94; 10. Ron Capps, Camaro, 5.086, 286.92; 11. Jim Epler, Camaro, 5.119, 285.29; 12. Cory Lee, Avenger, 5.165, 252.47; 13. Scotty Cannon, Camaro, 5.197, 246.30; 14. Tony Pedregon, Mustang, 5.274, 264.13; 15. Cruz Pedregon, Firebird, 5.320, 204.82; 16. Bob Gilbertson, Camaro, 5.339, 258.52.

Pro Stock -- 1. Ron Krisher, Pontiac Firebird, 6..912, 198.96; 2. Kurt Johnson, Chevy Camaro, 6.915, 199.61; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.920, 197.94; 4. Richie Stevens, Firebird, 6.927, 197.22; 5. Jim Yates, Firebird, 6.929, 198.93; 6. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.929, 197.48; 7. Troy Coughlin, Cutlass, 6.931, 198.52; 8. V. Gaines, Camaro, 6.941, 198.20; 9. Bruce Allen, Firebird, 6.946, 198.47; 10. Mark Pawuk, Firebird, 6.947, 197.80; 11. Warren Johnson, Firebird, 6.951, 198.99; 12. Tom Martino, Firebird, 6.954, 198.20; 13. Scott Geoffrion, Avenger, 6.956, 197.42; 14. Robert Patrick, Ford Mustang, 6.959, 197.36; 15. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 6.959, 197.22; 16. Darrell Alderman, Avenger, 6.961, 197.25.

Text provided by J.E. Wert

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